Summary
Goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis) consume the feces of their nestlings until the digestive efficiency of nestlings and adults is nearly equal. With increasing nestling age from the first day onwards, the energy content of the nestlings' feces decreases. The percentage of fecal pellets swallowed by the adults during the course of the nestling period is negatively correlated with their energy content. It may be concluded that adults use the feces of their young as an energy source.
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Glück, E. Why do parent birds swallow the feces of their nestlings?. Experientia 44, 537–539 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01958943
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01958943